Emily McMillan is the Executive Director of Nature Canada, leading the organization’s vision to discover, defend, and restore nature. 

She joined Nature Canada in 2019 and has over 20 years of experience in environmental conservation and campaigning. Her background includes almost eight years as a senior political campaigner and before that she was Director of the Sierra Club of Canada – Atlantic Canada Chapter for more than four years.

Emily’s passion for nature began as a child, she spent summers on family camping trips and catching frogs. Now as a mother, she believes in the power of being a mentor to her two young children and allowing them to experience nature firsthand. Emily instills the value of nature appreciation within her children with canoe trips, birding, and camping in Algonquin Park. 

Emily has a PhD. in Human Studies from Laurentian University. She explored how home and public schooling settings shape how children learn about and connect with nature, and how this influences people long-term to create a society that cares about protecting nature.